Photos and Review by Raven Divito
@rockinshots

On September 8^th at The Venue in Lincoln, CA, Dashboard Confessional and Counting Crows shared the stage, delivering a great evening of music and emotion.

Dashboard Confessional kicked off the night to the sound of fans screaming their devotion. Their setlist, made up of love songs tinged with heartbreak, showcased Chris Carrabba’s enduring vocal powers. The crowd, many of whom knew every lyric, sang and danced with the same passion they had for Carrabba when they were high schoolers.

Counting Crows followed, opening their set with “Catapult.” Known for mid-1990s hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here,” the San Francisco band proved their timeless appeal. Frontman Adam Duritz’s performance was mesmerizing – during “Mr. Jones,” which they got into right away on song three, he engaged with the audience, revealing vulnerability and charm.

Counting Crows’ lyrics, which explore life’s complexities, resonated profoundly. In addition to some deep cuts from their catalog, they did two completely acoustic songs and a Taylor Swift cover.

As the night progressed, their cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” spoke to the timelessness of their music. Unlike some veteran acts, Counting Crows infused their setlist with freshness, connecting old hits with newer material. More highlights included a three-song encore, with two of the songs performed together with Dashboard Confessional.

The camaraderie between Chris Carrabba and Adam Duritz, close friends sharing the stage, added to the evening’s charm, which made for a great night of seasoned bands keeping things fresh for their legions of fans.